KOLLAM: Bringing products, arts, and culture of villages from across the country under a single roof, the Kudumbashree Mission, in association with rural development department, is organising what is claimed to be India's biggest product exhibition and sales – Saras - here. Minister K.T. Jaleel will open the fair intended to promote self-help groups from some 25 states here at the Ashramam Maidan on Thursday. “It is the first time that Kudumbashree is organising the Saras fair," district panchayat president K. Jagadamma said.
“It intends to promote self-help groups, communities and traditional handicraft of rural India by helping them find a better market. Their products will get showcased, and they can sell them directly to customers, avoiding middlemen. It also helps develop healthy trade relations with various markets.” They have erected 250 stalls across the 71,000-square feet pavilion showcasing products ranging from handicrafts, art forms, jewellery, clothes, home appliances to daily utensils.
There will be as many as 120 stalls for other state groups and 60 stalls for rural development department while Kudumbasree will showcase their products in 55 stalls. The venue will comply with green protocol to ensure cleanliness and environment friendliness, entirely avoiding plastic products. They promote cloth and paper bags instead.
A food court offering ethnic food from various states will be a major attraction. Apart from Café Kudumbasree that serves local cuisine, food delicacies from Sikkim, Jharkhand, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, and Karnataka will serve ethnic food at the 6,000-square feet food pavilion. Art performances and cultural meetings participated by prominent personalities will add colour to the fair that ends on September 13.
